There are many things to consider when you’re shopping for a treadmill, such as your budget, fitness level and home gym space, for example. If you are planning on buying a treadmill, hopefully you know by now that you enjoy walking and/or running as exercise.

It is never a good idea to buy fitness equipment that you won’t use. Take a look at the following guidelines for more information on how to buy a treadmill:

Budget

As with most things in life, you get what you pay for when it comes to treadmills. Most people plan for a fitness equipment purchase to be a significant investment. Keep in mind, however, that even if you can afford a top of the line treadmill, it may not be the best machine for your own needs. Why pay for bells and whistles you won’t use? If you plan to shop primarily based on price range, make sure you are careful to compare treadmill features and specifications--don’t buy a machine based on price alone.

Space

Whatever machine you buy needs to work in your home. Make sure and measure where you’d like your treadmill to go. You may find out that you need or would prefer to buy a folding treadmill because of space concerns. Folding treadmills have improved much over the years, though you should make sure to look for stability, ease of use and movement. Along with space you should consider noise. Think of where your treadmill will be and whether or not you plan to watch TV or listen to music while you workout as you need to be able to hear those things over the sound of the treadmill. Consider the time when you think you’ll be working out and if family members might be sleeping or need quiet for some other reason.

Features

With all that is available these days, there really is no reason for you to become bored working out on a treadmill. Even machines on the low-end price-wise come with many pre-set workouts and customizable settings to control pace and incline. More and more you’ll find models that plug into the internet so you can download new workout programs to update your machine. You should also look for an easy to use console and any other features that are important to you, such as an MP3 dock, book rest or water bottle holder.

Motor and Horsepower

The motor on your treadmill is one of the most important parts of your treadmill as it works the hardest to keep you going. Look for a machine that comes with at least a year warranty on the motor and if you need a more quiet machine, look for a DC motor. When it comes to horsepower, you should be concerned with “continuous duty” rating rather than the “peak duty” rating. Look for 1.5 to 2.5 continuous duty horsepower.

Manual vs. Motorized Treadmills

If you’re on a budget, you may be tempted by the low price of manual treadmills. Manual treadmills have many drawbacks, however. They are often very difficult to get going and usually don’t have the features that motorized treadmills do (e.g. you can’t change the incline). They are also often less sturdy and made with less quality parts and construction.

Bargains and Alternatives

You may be able to afford the treadmill you’ve had your eye on, particularly if you’re willing to wait. Manufacturers continually release new models and reduce the older models in price. There is often little difference in features. Retailers also have sales or offer incentives like free shipping and/or installation, which are things you should actively look for. As an alternative to a treadmill, you could consider buying an elliptical trainer. Elliptical trainers offer a great full body workout and often are priced more cheaply than similar quality treadmills, so you get more for less.

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